Proton translocation linked to the activity of the bi-trans-membrane electron transport chain

FAD/NADH Dependent Oxidoreductases: From Different Amino Acid Sequences to Similar Protein Shapes for Playing an Ancient Function

Flavoprotein oxidoreductases are members of a large protein family of specialized dehydrogenases, which include type II NADH dehydrogenase, pyridine nucleotide-disulphide oxidoreductases, ferredoxin-NAD+ reductases, NADH oxidases, and NADH peroxidases, playing a crucial role in the metabolism of several prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Although several studies have been performed on single members or protein subgroups of flavoprotein oxidoreductases, a comprehensive analysis on structure-function relationships among the different members and subgroups of this great dehydrogenase family is still missing. Here, we present a structural comparative analysis showing that the investigated flavoprotein oxidoreductases have a highly similar overall structure, although the investigated dehydrogenases are quite different in functional annotations and global amino acid composition. The different functional annotation is ascribed to their participation in species-specific metabolic pathways based on the same biochemical reaction, i.e., the oxidation of specific cofactors, like NADH and FADH₂. Notably, the performed comparative analysis sheds light on conserved sequence features that reflect very similar oxidation mechanisms, conserved among flavoprotein oxidoreductases belonging to phylogenetically distant species, as the bacterial type II NADH dehydrogenases and the mammalian apoptosis-inducing factor protein, until now retained as unique protein entities in Bacteria/Fungi or Animals, respectively. Furthermore, the presented computational analyses will allow consideration of FAD/NADH oxidoreductases as a possible target of new small molecules to be used as modulators of mitochondrial respiration for patients affected by rare diseases or cancer showing mitochondrial dysfunction, or antibiotics for treating bacterial/fungal/protista infections.

Stimulation by pro-apoptotic valinomycin of cytosolic NADH/cytochrome c electron transport pathway-Effect of SH reagents

Intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis are both characterised by the presence of cytochrome c (cyto-c) in the cytosol. We present data on the extra-mitochondrial NADH oxidation catalysed by exogenous (cytosolic) cyto-c, as a possible answer to the paradox of apoptosis being an energy-dependent program but characterized by the impairment of the respiratory chain. The reduction of molecular oxygen induced by the cytosolic NADH/cyto-c pathway is coupled to the generation of an electrochemical proton gradient available for ATP synthesis. Original findings show that SH reagents inhibit the NADH/cyto-c system with a conformational change mechanism. The mitochondrial integrity-test of sulfite oxidase unequivocally demonstrates that this enzyme (120kDa) can be released outside but exogenous cyto-c (12.5kDa) does not permeate into mitochondria. Valinomycin at 2nM stimulates both the energy-dependent reversible mitochondrial swelling and the NADH/cyto-c oxidation pathway. The pro-apoptotic activity of valinomycin, as well as to the dissipation of membrane potential, can be also ascribed to the increased activity of the NADH/cyto-c oxidation pathway useful as an additional source of energy for apoptosis. It can be speculated that the activation of the NADH/cyto-c system coupled to valinomycin-induced mitochondrial osmotic swelling may represent a strategy to activate apoptosis in confined solid tumours.

Valinomycin induced energy-dependent mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome c release, cytosolic NADH/cytochrome c oxidation and apoptosis

In valinomycin induced stimulation of mitochondrial energy dependent reversible swelling, supported by succinate oxidation, cytochrome c (cyto-c) and sulfite oxidase (Sox) [both present in the mitochondrial intermembrane space (MIS)] are released outside. This effect can be observed at a valinomycin concentration as low as 1 nM. The rate of cytosolic NADH/cyto-c electron transport pathway is also greatly stimulated. The test on the permeability of mitochondrial outer membrane to exogenous cyto-c rules out the possibility that the increased rate of exogenous NADH oxidation could be ascribed either to extensively damaged or broken mitochondria. Accumulation of potassium inside the mitochondria, mediated by the highly specific ionophore valinomycin, promotes an increase in the volume of matrix (evidenced by swelling) and the interaction points between the two mitochondrial membranes are expected to increase. The data reported and those previously published are consistent with the view that "respiratory contact sites" are involved in the transfer of reducing equivalents from cytosol to inside the mitochondria both in the absence and the presence of valinomycin. Magnesium ions prevent at least in part the valinomycin effects. Rather than to the dissipation of membrane potential, the pro-apoptotic property of valinomycin can be ascribed to both the release of cyto-c from mitochondria to cytosol and the increased rate of cytosolic NADH coupled with an increased availability of energy in the form of glycolytic ATP, useful for the correct execution of apoptotic program.

Malate-aspartate shuttle and exogenous NADH/cytochrome c electron transport pathway as two independent cytosolic reducing equivalent transfer systems

In mammalian cells aerobic oxidation of glucose requires reducing equivalents produced in glycolytic phase to be channelled into the phosphorylating respiratory chain for the reduction of molecular oxygen. Data never presented before show that the oxidation rate of exogenous NADH supported by the malate-aspartate shuttle system (reconstituted in vitro with isolated liver mitochondria) is comparable to the rate obtained on activation of the cytosolic NADH/cytochrome c electron transport pathway. The activities of these two reducing equivalent transport systems are independent of each other and additive. NADH oxidation induced by the malate-aspartate shuttle is inhibited by aminooxyacetate and by rotenone and/or antimycin A, two inhibitors of the respiratory chain, while the NADH/cytochrome c system remains insensitive to all of them. The two systems may simultaneously or mutually operate in the transfer of reducing equivalents from the cytosol to inside the mitochondria. In previous reports we suggested that the NADH/cytochrome c system is expected to be functioning in apoptotic cells characterized by the presence of cytochrome c in the cytosol. As additional new finding the activity of reconstituted shuttle system is linked to the amount of α-ketoglutarate generated inside the mitochondria by glutamate dehydrogenase rather than by aspartate aminotransferase.

Lidocaine depolarizes the mitochondrial membrane potential by intracellular alkalization in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

PURPOSE

The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) is an important factor for apoptosis, and it is produced by the proton electrochemical gradient (ΔµH(+)). Therefore, the intracellular proton concentration (pH(in)) is an important factor for modifying the ΔΨm. However, the effects of lidocaine on pH(in) are unclear. To investigate mitochondrial responses to lidocaine, therefore, we simultaneously measured pH(in) with ΔΨm, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence, and calculated the FAD/NADH ratio (redox ratio), the superoxide production in mitochondria.

METHODS

Morphological change and early apoptosis were observed by annexin-V FITC staining under fluorescent microscope. The ratiometric fluorescent probe JC-1 and HPTS were used for the simultaneous measurements of ΔΨm with pH(in) in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. FAD and NADH autofluorescence were simultaneously measured, and the FAD/NADH fluorescence ratio (redox ratio) was calculated. The superoxide was measured by mitosox-red fluorescent probe for mitochondrial superoxide. Lidocaine was evaluated at 1, 5, and 10 mM.

RESULTS

Morphological change and early apoptosis were observed after 10 mM lidocaine administration. Lidocaine depolarized ΔΨm with increased pH(in) in a dose-dependent manner. In low-pH saline (pH 6), in the presence of both the weak acids (acetate and propionate), lidocaine failed to depolarize ΔΨm and increase pH(in). On the other hand, lidocaine decreased the redox ratio in the cell and increased the levels of superoxide in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that lidocaine depolarizes ΔΨm by intracellular alkalization. These results may indicate one of the mechanisms responsible for lidocaine-induced neurotoxicity.

Ceramide-induced activation of cytosolic NADH/cytochrome c electron transport pathway: An additional source of energy for apoptosis

We have investigated whether increase in the oxidation rate of exogenous cytochrome c (cyto-c), induced by long-chain ceramides, might be due to an increased rate of cytosolic NADH/cyto-c electron transport pathway. This process was identified in isolated liver mitochondria and has been studied in our laboratory for many years. Data from highly specific test of sulfite oxidase prove that exogenous cyto-c both in the absence and presence of ceramide cannot permeate through the mitochondrial outer membrane. However, the oxidation of added NADH, mediated by exogenous cyto-c and coupled to the generation of a membrane potential supporting the ATP synthesis, can also be stimulated by ceramide. The results obtained suggest that ceramide molecules, by increasing mitochondrial permeability, with the generation of either raft-like platforms or channels, may have a dual function. They can promote the release of endogenous cyto-c and activate, with an energy conserving process, the oxidation of cytosolic NADH either inducing the formation of new respiratory contact sites or increasing the frequency of the pre-existing porin contact sites. In agreement with the data in the literature, an increase of mitochondrial ceramide molecules level may represent an efficient strategy to activate and support the correct execution of apoptotic program.

Local anesthetics depolarize mitochondrial membrane potential by intracellular alkalization in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

BACKGROUND

Although it has been reported that local anesthetics, especially lidocaine, are cytotoxic, the mechanism is unclear. Depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim), one of the markers of mitochondrial failure, is regulated by the proton electrochemical gradient (Delta H(+)). Therefore, intracellular pH ([pH]in) and mitochondrial pH ([pH]m) are important factors for modifying DeltaPsim. However, the effects of local anesthetics on [pH]in and [pH]m are unclear. To investigate mitochondrial responses to local anesthetics, we simultaneously measured [pH]m and [pH]in, along with DeltaPsim.

METHODS

The ratiometric fluorescent probe JC-1 and HPTS were used for the simultaneous measurements of DeltaPsim with [pH]in in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. A carboxy-SNARF-1 fluorescent probe was used to measure [pH]m. Lidocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, procaine, QX-314, a charged form of lidocaine, and ammonium chloride (NH(4)Cl) were evaluated.

RESULTS

DeltaPsim was depolarized and [pH]in was increased by lidocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, and procaine in a dose-dependent manner. Significantly, a relationship between DeltaPsim and [pH]in was observed for lidocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, procaine, and NH(4)Cl perfusion. In contrast, QX-314 did not change DeltaPsim or [pH]in. In low-pH saline (pH6) and in the presence of a weak acid, lidocaine failed to increase [pH]in or depolarize DeltaPsim. The [pH]m was also increased by lidocaine, mepivacaine, bupivacaine, procaine, and NH(4)Cl.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that uncharged (base) forms of local anesthetics induce DeltaPsim depolarization. One of the causes is intracellular and mitochondrial alkalization.

Interaction of nitric oxide with the activity of cytosolic NADH/cytochrome c electron transport system

Nitric oxide ((.)NO) generated by the dissociation of S-nitrosoglutathione or added as gaseous solution, inhibits the oxidation of exogenous NADH supported by the activity of the cytosolic NADH/cyto-c electron transport pathway. The inhibition is immediate, very strong, higher at lower oxygen concentration, independent on the (.)NO concentration and remains constant as long as (.)NO is no more available and then is spontaneously removed. The data obtained, not in contrast with those reported with isolated cytochrome oxidase (Cox), strengthen a new concept: reduced cytochrome c (cyto-c) and (.)NO behave as two substrates of Cox, which promotes their oxidation with molecular oxygen as a co-substrate. In the presence of (.)NO, Cox exhibits the property of switching from cyto-c oxidase to (.)NO oxidase activity. With an "all or nothing" process Cox becomes an efficient (.)NO scavenger. The persistence of membrane potential, even in the presence of high inhibition of oxygen uptake, could be tentatively correlated to the protective effect of (.)NO on the ischaemic-reperfusion injury.

Effect of magnesium ions on the activity of the cytosolic NADH/cytochrome c electron transport system

Cytochrome c (cyto-c), added to isolated mitochondria, activates the oxidation of extramitochondrial NADH and the generation of a membrane potential, both linked to the activity of the cytosolic NADH/cyto-c electron transport pathway. The data presented in this article show that the protective effect of magnesium ions on the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane, supported by previously published data, correlates with the finding that, in hypotonic but not isotonic medium, magnesium promotes a differential effect on both the additional release of endogenous cyto-c and on the increased rate of NADH oxidation, depending on whether it is added before or after the mitochondria. At the same time, magnesium prevents or almost completely removes the binding of exogenously added cyto-c. We suggest that, in physiological low-amplitude swelling, magnesium ions may have the function, together with other factors, of modulating the amount of cyto-c molecules transferred from the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytosol, required for the correct execution of the apoptotic programme and/or the activation of the NADH/cyto-c electron transport pathway.

Protective effect of magnesium and potassium ions on the permeability of the external mitochondrial membrane

The data reported are fully consistent with the well-known observation that exogenous cytochrome c (cyto-c) molecules do not permeate through the outer membrane of mitochondria (MOM) incubated in isotonic medium (250 mM sucrose). Cyto-c is unable to accept electrons from the sulfite/cyto-c oxido-reductase (Sox) present in the intermembrane space, unless mitochondria are solubilized. Mitochondria incubated in a very high hypotonic medium (25 mM sucrose), in contrast to any expectation, continue to be not permeable to added cyto-c even if Sox and adenylate kinase are released into the medium. The succinate/exogenous cyto-c reductase activity, very low in isotonic medium, is greatly increased decreasing the osmolarity of the medium but in both cases remains insensitive to proteolysis by added trypsin. In hypotonic medium, magnesium and potassium ions have a protective effect on the release of enzymes and on the reactivity of cyto-c as electron acceptor from both sulfite and succinate; results which are consistent with the view that MOM preserves its identity and remains not permeable to exogenous cyto-c. This report strengthens the proposal, supported by previously published data that in isotonic medium the exogenous NADH/cyto-c electron transport system is catalyzed by intact mitochondria, not permeable to added cyto-c.

Porin and cytochrome oxidase containing contact sites involved in the oxidation of cytosolic NADH

Cytochrome c (cyto-c) added to isolated mitochondria promotes the oxidation of extra-mitochondrial NADH and the reduction of molecular oxygen associated to the generation of an electrochemical membrane potential available for ATP synthesis. The electron transport pathway activated by exogenous cyto-c molecules is completely distinct from the one catalyzed by the respiratory chain. Dextran sulfate (500 kDa), known to interact with porin (the voltage-dependent anion channel), other than to inhibit the release of ATP synthesized inside the mitochondria, greatly decreases the activity of exogenous NADH/cyto-c system of intact mitochondria but has no effect on the reconstituted system made of mitoplasts and external membrane preparations. The results obtained are consistent with the existence of specific contact sites containing cytochrome oxidase and porin, as components of the inner and the outer membrane respectively, involved in the oxidation of cytosolic NADH. The proposal is put forward that the bi-trans-membrane electron transport chain activated by cytosolic cyto-c becomes, in physio-pathological conditions: (i) functional in removing the excess of cytosolic NADH; (ii) essential for cell survival in the presence of an impairment of the first three respiratory complexes; and (iii) an additional source of energy at the beginning of apoptosis.

Endosymbiosis and the design of eukaryotic electron transport

The bioenergetic organelles of eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts, are derived from endosymbiotic bacteria. Their electron transport chains (ETCs) resemble those of free-living bacteria, but were tailored for energy transformation within the host cell. Parallel evolutionary processes in mitochondria and chloroplasts include reductive as well as expansive events: On one hand, bacterial complexes were lost in eukaryotes with a concomitant loss of metabolic flexibility. On the other hand, new subunits have been added to the remaining bacterial complexes, new complexes have been introduced, and elaborate folding patterns of the thylakoid and mitochondrial inner membranes have emerged. Some bacterial pathways were reinvented independently by eukaryotes, such as parallel routes for quinol oxidation or the use of various anaerobic electron acceptors. Multicellular organization and ontogenetic cycles in eukaryotes gave rise to further modifications of the bioenergetic organelles. Besides mitochondria and chloroplasts, eukaryotes have ETCs in other membranes, such as the plasma membrane (PM) redox system, or the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. These systems have fewer complexes and simpler branching patterns than those in energy-transforming organelles, and they are often adapted to non-bioenergetic functions such as detoxification or cellular defense.

Cytochrome c-induced cytosolic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidation, mitochondrial permeability transition, and apoptosis

A catalytic amount of cytochrome c (cyto-c) added to the incubation medium of isolated mitochondria promotes the transfer of reducing equivalents from extramitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in its reduced state (NADH) to molecular oxygen inside the mitochondria, a process coupled to the generation of a membrane potential. This mimics in many aspects the early stages of those apoptotic pathways characterized by the persistence of mitochondrial membrane potential but with cyto-c already exported into the cytosol. In cyclosporin-sensitive and calcium-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) a release of cyto-c can also be observed. However, in MPT uncoupled respiration associated with mitochondrial swelling and preceded by the complete dissipation of the membrane potential which cannot be restored with ATP addition or any other source of energy is immediately activated. The results obtained and discussed with regard to intactness of mitochondrial preparations indicate that MPT could be an apoptotic event downstream but not upstream of cyto-c release linked to the energy-requiring processes. In the early stages of apoptosis cytosolic cyto-c participates in the activation of caspases and at the same time can promote the oxidation of cytosolic NADH, making more energy available for the correct execution of the cell death program. This hypothesis is not in contrast with available data in the literature showing that cyto-c is present in the cytosol of both control and apoptosis-induced cultured cell lines.

Cytochrome c sorption-desorption effects on the external NADH oxidation by mitochondria: experimental and computational study

The rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane is known to be critical for cell death, but the mechanism, specifically its redox-signaling aspects, still needs to be studied in more detail. In this work, the external NADH oxidation by rat liver mitochondria was studied under the outer membrane rupture induced by the mitochondria hypotonic treatment or the inner membrane permeability transition. The saturation of the oxidation rate was observed as a function of mitochondrial protein concentration. This effect was shown to result from cytochrome c binding to the mitochondrial membranes. At a relatively high concentration of mitochondria, the oxidation rate was strongly activated by 4 mm Mg(2+) due to cytochrome c desorption from the membranes. A minimal kinetic model was developed to explain the main phenomena of the external NADH oxidation modulated by cytochrome c and Mg(2+) in mitochondria with the ruptured outer membrane. The computational behavior of the model closely agreed with the experimental data. We suggest that the redox state of the released cytochrome c, considered by other authors to be important for apoptosis, may strongly depend on its oxidation by the fraction of mitochondria with the ruptured outer membrane and on the cytoplasmic cytochrome c reductase activity.

Failure of exogenous NADH and cytochrome c to support energy-dependent swelling of mitochondria

The possibility of direct oxidation of external NADH in rat liver mitochondria and of the inner membrane potential generation in this process is still not clear. In the present work, the energy-dependent swelling of mitochondria in the medium containing valinomycin and potassium acetate was measured as one of the main criteria of the proton-motive force generation by complex III, complex IV, and both complexes III and IV of the respiratory chain. Mitochondria swelling induced by external NADH oxidation was compared with that induced by succinate or ferrocyanide oxidation, or by electron transport from succinate to ferricyanide. Mitochondria swelling, nearly equal to that promoted by ferrocyanide oxidation, was observed under external NADH oxidation, but only after the outer mitochondrial membrane was ruptured as a result of the swelling-contraction cycle, caused by succinate oxidation and its subsequent inhibition. In this case, significantly accelerated intermembrane electron transport and well-detected inner membrane potential generation, in addition to mitochondria swelling, were also observed. Presented results suggest that exogenous NADH and cytochrome c do not support the inner membrane potential generation in intact rat liver mitochondria, because the external NADH-cytochrome c reductase system, oriented in the outer mitochondrial membrane toward the cytoplasm, is inaccessible for endogenous cytochrome c reduction; as well, the inner membrane cytochrome c oxidase is inaccessible for exogenous cytochrome c oxidation.

Glutathione depletion causes cytochrome c release even in the absence of cell commitment to apoptosis

We demonstrate here that the release of mature cytochrome c from mitochondria is a cellular response to the depletion of glutathione, the main intracellular antioxidant, independently from the destiny of the cells, i.e., apoptosis or survival. On the one hand, cytosolic cytochrome c was detected in cells where the inhibition of glutathione synthesis led to glutathione depletion without impairing viability or in tight concomitance with glutathione depletion prior to puromycin-induced apoptosis. Removal of the apoptogenic agent prior to apoptosis, but after glutathione extrusion and cytochrome c release, led to recovery of preapoptotic cells, which resume healthy features, i.e., restoration of normal glutathione levels and disappearance of cytosolic cytochrome c. On the other hand, in an example of apoptosis occurring without glutathione depletion, no translocation of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol was detected. Unlike the other instances of apoptosis, in this case caspase 3 was not activated, thus suggesting the following oxidant-related apoptotic pathway: glutathione depletion, cytochrome c release, and caspase 3 activation. These results show that cytochrome c release is not a terminal event leading cells to apoptosis, but rather is the consequence of a redox disequilibrium that, under some circumstances, may be associated with apoptosis.

Glutamate neurotoxicity in rat cerebellar granule cells involves cytochrome c release from mitochondria and mitochondrial shuttle impairment

To gain some insight into the mechanism by which glutamate neurotoxicity takes place in cerebellar granule cells, two steps of glucose oxidation were investigated: the electron flow via respiratory chain from certain substrates to oxygen and the transfer of extramitochondrial reducing equivalents via the mitochondrial shuttles. However, cytochrome c release from intact mitochondria was found to occur in glutamate-treated cells as detected photometrically in the supernatant of the cell homogenate suspension. As a result of cytochrome c release, an increase of the oxidation of externally added NADH was found, probably occurring via the NADH-b5 oxidoreductase of the outer mitochondrial membrane. When the two mitochondrial shuttles glycerol 3-phosphate/dihydroxyacetone phosphate and malate/oxaloacetate, devoted to oxidizing externally added NADH, were reconstructed, both were found to be impaired under glutamate neurotoxicity. Consistent early activation in two NADH oxidizing mechanisms, i.e., lactate production and plasma membrane NADH oxidoreductase activity, was found in glutamate-treated cells. In spite of this, the increase in the cell NADH fluorescence was found to be time-dependent, an index of the progressive damage of the cell.

Modulation of cytochrome c-mediated extramitochondrial NADH oxidation by contact site density

Data presented in previous reports suggest that in rat liver mitochondria a "bi-trans-membrane" electron transport pathway is present which promotes the transfer of reducing equivalents directly from cytosolic NADH to molecular oxygen inside the mitochondria. Here we show that the oxidation of external NADH is stimulated by atractylate + ADP and greatly inhibited by glycerol. These two conditions have been documented to promote the increase and the decrease respectively of the frequency of "contact sites" between the two mitochondrial membranes. NADH oxidation is not affected at all by glycerol and atractylate + ADP when TMPD and endogenous cytochrome c are utilized as electron carriers. The results obtained are consistent with the proposal that the bi-trans-membrane electron transport chain might be localized at the level of respiratory contact sites having the function of promoting the oxidation of the surplus amount of cytosolic NADH. This electron transport pathway has been suggested to play a decisive role in the early stages of apoptosis [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 246, 556-561, 1998].

Inhibition by butylmalonate of proton influx in nonphosphorylating mitochondria

The impermeability of the inner membrane to protons is one of the four postulates of the chemiosmotic theory on the coupling mechanism between respiration and phosphorylation in mitochondria. However, oxygen uptake in isolated nonphosphorylating mitochondria requires that protons translocated from inside to outside must be, at least in part, retaken up. The nonohmic relationship between the respiration rate and the protonmotive force has been mainly ascribed to an increase in the proton conductance of the inner membrane (proton leak). In liver mitochondria oxygen pulse experiments the rate of both the efflux and the reentry of protons, linked to the oxygen consumption supported by succinate oxidation, is greatly stimulated by low concentrations of butylmalonate. The steady-state level of protons exported outside in the acidification-alkalinization cycle of the medium, generated by an oxygen pulse, is also increased but the rate of oxygen uptake is unaffected. However, in valinomycin-stimulated respiration butylmalonate inhibits the ratio of proton influx/oxygen consumption by 50% and also stimulates the ratio of proton efflux/oxygen consumption by 50%. Titration of the butylmalonate effect gives a saturation curve with a half-maximal effect at 5 microM. Identical results are obtained inthe presence of oligomycin which excludes the involvement of the ATP-synthase complex. The data obtained are not in contrast with the existence in the inner membrane of a channel-like system inhibited by butylmalonate and involved, together with other systems, in promoting the backflow of protons in nonphosphorylating state 4 respiration. Such a system, similar to thermogenin, could be involved in tissues, other than adipose, in a more general thermogenesis program by promoting the dissipation as heat of the energy given by the electrochemical proton gradient. The possibility that butylmalonate might inhibit the proton movement associated with cation and anion transport in mitochondria has also been considered.

Mitochondrial membrane potential supported by exogenous cytochrome c oxidation mimics the early stages of apoptosis

Mitochondria isolated from rat liver, incubated with inhibitors of respiratory Complexes I and III but in the presence of added NADH as a source of reducing equivalents, generate a membrane potential, the extent of which is comparable to that supported by the oxidation of intramitochondrial respiratory substrates. A catalytic amount of exogenously added cytochrome c is required in order for this membrane potential to be observed. Such an experimental approach mimics the early stages of the apoptotic program of mammalian cells. This has been reported to be characterized by the extrusion of the bulk of intermembrane pool of cytochrome c while the mitochondria continue to preserve their membrane potential. The data obtained are consistent with the proposal that the bi-trans-membrane electron transport pathway, activated by the transfer of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosolic compartment, may be directly involved in the generation of the mitochondrial membrane potential at the beginning of the cell death process.